Many TMJ patients have TMJ dizziness and this is very often what bothers the patient the most. There are two possible causes.

          The first cause may be related to the fact that the jaw joint is located just in front of the inner ear. Part of the inner ear acts like a carpenter's level and automatically helps your body balance you. When a patient's TMJ is inflamed and sore, its next door neighbor (inner ear) can be affected causing TMJ dizziness. If you injure a muscle, all of the muscles around the injured muscle contract tightly, not just the injured muscle. The inflamed TMJ muscles might cause the muscles in the inner ear to tighten and create problems.

          The second possible cause is the tightening and inflammation of the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM). The SCM is often sore in TMJ patients. Unfortunately, the SCM, like the inner ear, helps your body keep in balance. When the SCM is in spasm, a patient can have get spinny. Dentists know that the ear is affected by TMJ problems because TMJ patients often have ringing in the ears (tinnitus), stuffy ears, TMJ dizziness,excessive ear wax and decreased hearing. Unfortunately, many physicians are not aware of these anatomical relationships and patients are often treated for misdiagnosed problems such as Meniere's Disease.

          If you are having TMJ dizziness and would like to consult with our TMJ dentist, Dr Padolsky, please call 404-874-7428 for an appointment.